Michelle Ko - Mission Update

Friends! 

My last newsletter was in March 2015. Where I have been since then? Many places, but mostly in Australia and Taiwan. I am still happily alive and in a transitional season, waiting to go on an exciting mission journey. I will move to Tanzania, East Africa in 2018.

“Why?” you might ask. As you know, I spent nine years living in Kenya, ministering to HIV positive orphans. I had accomplished my first calling which was building a home for those who are HIV+ infected orphans. But by the end of the mission I was very much running on fumes. I realized it was time for me to take a break from Africa,  and I left Kenya in May 2011. After I left Kenya, God unexpectedly opened a door for me to be a mission mobilizer and pastor in Australia. Two months of praying later, I accepted His new challenge for me. It has been an incredible six years serving God in the "down under," and Australia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

So, why shouldn’t I continue to stay in Australia? I’ve had a few tempting offers from organisations to stay in Australia and continue my work here. But deep down, I knew I missed Africa. I missed all the friendships I had made, especially the children. I had spent my very last day in Kenya with one of the orphans, who was suffering from an illness. He was only 8 years old and had to be hospitalized due to the severity of his illness. Saying goodbye to him was the hardest goodbye I’ve ever experienced. Our last talk ended in tears, and I cried throughout the six-hour journey back to Nairobi. But in my heart, I knew this goodbye was not the end. This goodbye was not forever. There are great needs all around the world including Australia and Taiwan.

However, we have only one life and we can only be in one place physically at one time. I’m not 21 years old anymore. I don’t have a whole life in front of me. So why not spend what I do have following God’s calling at this time in my life? Be in Africa. Reach the unreached. Make Him known. Let His light shine in the darkness. Once again, I’m starting a new faith journey, serving with the same organization, SIM (Serving in Mission), and preparing to go to Tanzania.

A faith journey means totally relying on God’s provision through partnerships, unceasing prayer, and financial support. It’s a familiar missionary path, yet a challenging one and there’s a surprise around every corner. “His mercy is new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:23

More details of my new faith journey will be coming soon via newsletters.

I will be in Taiwan from December 5th, waiting and preparing for Tanzania.

Click here for a look at my experience in Kenya

Praises and Prayers:

Thank God for providing me with everything I needed. As I start preparing, let me experience His amazing grace every step of the way.

See you in Africa,

Michelle Ko

Email: michelle.ko@sim.org

Here's how you can give:

AUSTRALIA

Online giving in Australia: www.sim.org.au/ko

USA

USA website: A gift can be given by check, credit card, debit card or a transfer using electronic funds. Here is the link to our website: https://www.simusa.org/get-involved/give/

UK

Account Name: SIM UK Account Number: 90461164 Sort-Code: 20-94-67 Reference: Ko. Please email the finance supervisor Jonny Green (email below) and let him know the amount of your gift and that it is for me. jonny@sim.co.uk t: +44 (0) 1449 766464

SINGAPORE

Direct deposit into SIM DBS Bank Account Beneficiary Bank: DBS Bank Account name: SIM East Asia Ltd. Account number: 025-011051-0 A deposit notification has to be emailed to eastasia.giving@sim.org with each gift.